Metal-expanding machine.



EATENTED sEET. 1, 1903..

3 SHEETS-SHBT 1.

G. J. HULL. METAL EXPANEING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FIL'BD NOV. 29, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

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G. J.v HOLL.- META-L BX'PANDING MACHINE.

l APPLICATION FILED'NOV. 29, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET?.

N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED SEPT. l, 1903-.

G, J. HOLL. METAL BXPANDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 29, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET s.

NO MODEL.

[NMEA/TOR J w .a w 0 y DD co. rHoTouTHo.. wAsmNcToN n c UNTTED STATES Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OEEICE.

GUSTAV J. IIOLL, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO XVM. G. HURLBERT AND EVAN J. JOB, OF NILES, OHIO.

METAL-EXPAND'ING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,931, dated September 1, 1903.

Application lecl November 29, 1902. Serial No. 1331181. (No model.)

T LZZ 1071/0711/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUsTAv J. HOLL, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal- Expanding Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains ro to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for effectively and quickly expanding slitted sheets of metal in the manufacture of metallic lathing.

I5 A further object is to prevent the sheet while being expanded from becoming disengaged from the expanding medium.

The invention Will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the 2o claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is an end view. Fig. 4 is a detached View of the means for operating the sheet-holding bar. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of some of the expanding finger-bars. Fig. 6 is a side View thereof with the pivoted base in section. Fig. 7 is a detail View of one of the links connecting the finger-bars. Fig. 8 is an end view 3c of the two sets of nger-bars, showing their expanded positions in dotted lines. Fig. 9 is a view of the supporting-bar. Fig. 10 is a plan view With parts broken away of the bars engaging the finger-bars for moving them in opposite directions.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a stationary frame having at its ends overhanging portions 2, forming vertical guideways for a holding-bar 3. The latter is designed to be moved up and down in its gudeways by pitmen 4, connected at their lower ends to pivoted arms 5, carrying rollers 6, engaged by cams 7. These cams effect the raising and lowering of the holding-bar.

8 is a supporting-b ar extended longitudinally of the frame in line beneath the holding-bar and yieldingly supported at its ends by springs 9. (See Fig. 9.) Upon this bar S a previously-slitted metallic sheet is de` 5o signed to be placed, being securely held during the expanding operation by the holdingbar 3, the bar 8 being forced downward thereby to prevent the sheet from disengaging from the expanding-fingers.

Extending longitudinally of the frame on opposite sides of the supporting-bar are two sets of finger-bars 10, each set being itself divided centrally into two series by a central upright bar 12. Each of these linger-bars is oset at its upper end to accommodate up- 6o wardly-projecting fingers 13, designed to enter slits in a metal sheet. The finger-bars are practically upright, although normally resting slightly toward the su pporting-bar. At their lowerendstheyarepivotallysecuredbypointed screws 14 to pivoted base-bars 15, running longitudinally of the frame. These two bars 15 are journaled at their ends in frame 1, so that each set of finger-bars may be moved away from and toward the sheetsupporting bar. 7o The finger-bars of each set are extended between two parallel bars 16, connected together at their ends and to the central bar 1.2 by screws 16h. At their ends the bars 16 are supported by brackets 17, secured to the basebars l5,and are equipped with rollers 18,which are engaged by cams 19, the action of which cams is to force the two sets of finger-bars outwardly toward the sid es of the frame. The bars of each series composing a set of bars 8o (the upright bar 12 forming the dividing line) are connected together by slotted links 20,and the outer end bar of each series is connected by a similar link to guide-bars 21, carrying at their upper ends rollers 22, movable in oblique guideways 23, such guideways being shown as consisting of slotted arms secured to the sides of the frame. Thus the several iingerbars of each series are individually pivoted at their lower ends and are connected 9o together, so as to move in unison, and each set of finger-bars being mounted on a pivoted base-bar may be moved toward and away-from each other under the action of the cams 19. As the two sets of finger-bars are moved outwardly or away from each other the bars composing the series of each set are'moved toward the center of the framethat is, in the direction ofthe central dividing-bar 12.

The driving mechanism is indicated at 25 roo disengagement of the fingers from the sheet cannot occur until the holding-bar is raised. When the sheethas thus been secured in place, the two sets of finger-bars are moved outwardly toward the sides oftthe frame, and simultaneously with this movement the several finger-bars composing each series are moved toward the center of their respective set. This movement is necessary, because of the fact that in expanding the sheet the same is shortened in length, the increase in the width,however,being proportionately greater than the decrease in the length. The sheet being thus expanded to the desired extent and the finger-bars somewhatslightlyrelaxed, the holding-bar is elevated, whereupon the now fully-expanded sheet may be removed.

I claim as my inventionl. A metal-expanding machine having opposite sets of fingers for engaging a slitted metallic sheet, means for simultaneously moving both sets of fingers away from each other, and means for simultaneously moving the several fingers composing each set toward the center thereof", as set forth.

2. A metal-expanding machine having opposite sets of fingers for engagingaslitted metallic sheet, means for simultaneously moving the two sets of fingers away from each other, and guides for directing the several fingers of each set toward the center thereof as the two sets of fingers are so moved away from each other, as set forth.

l 3. A metal-expanding machine having opposite sets of fingers for engaging a slitted sheet of metal, the fingers of each set being divided into two series, connections between the fingers of each series of fingers, means for moving the two sets of fingers away from each other, and means for simultaneously guiding or moving the two series of each set of fingers toward the center thereof, as set forth. Y

4C. A metal-expanding machine having opposite sets of fingers for engaging a slitted metal sheet, -each set being divided into two series, the fingers of each series being oo nnected together, guide-bars, one of the fingers of each series being connected to one of suchguide-bars, guides for controlling the movements of such bars, and means for moving the two sets of fingers in opposite directions, as set forth.

5. The combination with the frame having a central support for a slitted sheet of metal,

of the two sets. of finger-bars, pivoted bearings for said bars to which the bars are themselves pivoted, fingers carried by said fingerbars, each set of bars being divided into two series, connections between all the fingerbars of each series, means for forcing the two sets of finger-bars away from each other, and means for forcing the finger-bars of each series toward the center of the set thereof as the two sets of finger-bars are so moved away from each other, as set forth.

6.' The combination with the frame having a yielding support for a slitted metallic sheet, a holding-bar for engaging a sheet on said support and depressing the latter, opposite sets of upwardly-projecting fingers designed to engage the slits in the metal sheet, and means for forcing the lingers toward the sides of the frame, as set forth.

7. The combination with the frame having a central support for a slitted metallic sheet, of the two sets of finger-bars, lingers carried thereby, a pivoted support for each set of finger-bars to which the latter are pivotally secured, links connecting the bars of each set, guide-bars to which said finger-bars are connected, oblique guides for said guide-bars, and means engaging both sets of finger-bars for forcing the two sets in opposite directions, substantially as set forth.

8. In a metal-expanding machine, a frame having a central support for a slitted metallic sheet, two sets of nger-bars at opposite sides of the frame, fingers carried by said bars for engaging slits of the sheet, the several bars of each setbeing divided into two series, connections between all of the bars of each series, two pivoted base-bars to which alluof the bars of each set are pivoted at their lower ends, two parallel bars between which the finger-bars are extended, rollers on the ends of such parallel bars, cams for engaging the rollers for forcing the two sets of fingerbars iu opposite directions, means for actuating the cams, and means for guiding the several finger-bars of each series toward the center of each set as the said sets are moved away from each other, as set forth.

9. The combination with the frame having a central support for a slitted metallic sheet, of a holding-bar for holding the sheet flat against such support, means for actuating such bar, and means for engaging the sides of the sheet on opposite sides of the central support for expanding the same laterally while so held by the bar, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAV J. HOLL.

Witnesses:

W. G. KENAGA, M. E. KEPLINGER.

IOO

IIO 

